The Russellville City Council will consider an ordinance at its Feb. 15 meeting that would appoint Kathy Collins as city clerk/treasurer and raise her salary, and designate the city finance director position as a department head.

Collins will take over any duties specifically assigned to the city treasurer, while the city's day-to-day financial operations will be handled by Jeanette Small.

Mayor Tyrone Williamson said at the council's agenda preparation meeting Tuesday the move would address an issue raised with the recent appointment of Small as finance director. State law requires appointed or elected city officers live in the city where they hold office, and there was some question as to whether the city finance director position was the same as a treasurer.

The city clerk is an elected position and city department heads do not have a residency requirement.

Small lives in Atkins, and will begin work with the city Feb. 12.

Alderman Freddie Harris asked whether taking on the city treasurer's duties would create an unmanageable workload for Collins.

"If there's any type of overlap between the two positions, she's doing it anyway," City Attorney Trey Smith said.

Alderman Cliff Kirchner noted as a department head, the city finance director would report only to the mayor, who will have sole hiring and firing power.

"It would be subject to a two-thirds override by the city council," Smith said.

In other business, the council will consider advancing $60,000 to the Russellville Airport in order to obtain state grant funds.

"The last time we gave them money like this, we never got it back," Kirchner said. "I would urge that we not approve this unless we have some way to get money from them."